The fourth Test match between India and Australia is witnessing an inclination towards batters, with a wicket that is proving to be a challenge for bowlers. Evidence of this was on full display when India’s wicket-keeper batter KS Bharat unleashed his counter-attacking abilities against Australia’s Cameron Green in the 134th over.
Green had been relentlessly bowling in and around the off stump channel, but to no avail. In an attempt to grab a wicket, he resorted to the short pitch bowling strategy against Bharat, with fielders stationed on the leg side boundary, hoping for a miscued pull or a hook shot.
However, Bharat proved to be up to the challenge and responded fittingly by smacking Green for two consecutive sixes in a row. The first six came on the third delivery of the over, with a well-timed pull that sailed over the stands in the direction of deep square leg.
Bharat didn’t stop there and matched it with another impressive hit, depositing the next short ball over fine leg for another maximum. The next delivery was cut in the direction of backward point, as it was short and wide, and Bharat placed it behind point for a four. The three consecutive scoring shots brought the crowd to life, and Bharat received a rousing reception after his string of scoring shots.
Throughout his innings, Bharat displayed his wide array of shots and scored a well-made 44 before falling prey to Australia’s premier off-spinner Nathan Lyon. Lyon induced an inside edge from Bharat as the latter went for a defensive prod with hard hands, and the ball popped up after brushing his front pad. Peter Handscomb accepted an easy catch.
After Bharat’s dismissal, Virat Kohli hit his 28th Test ton, ending a long wait. The Indian batting maestro’s last Test century was back in November 2019 against Bangladesh at the Eden Gardens in a pink ball Test.
